Predatory birds

While the greatest threat to braided river birds is from pest mammals, predatory birds, both native and introduced species, are also a problem. Along the Wairau River near Blenheim, for example, harriers are a major threat. Elsewhere, they present no real problems. This highlights the complexity of predator guilds on braided rivers, and why no single pest management regime can be applied to all rivers.

Three predatory bird species are known to predate on braided river birds. The video footage of a black-backed gullgobbling down three dotterel chicks in less time than it takes to read this sentence is particularly compelling.